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3 things to know about Phoenix Mayor-elect Kate Gallego

Democrat Kate Gallego talks to supporters after declaring victory in the Phoenix mayoral race at an election-night party at Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix on March 12, 2019. Michael Chow/The Republic

Kate Gallego beats Daniel Valenzuela for Phoenix mayor

Democrat Kate Gallego talks to supporters after declaring victory in the Phoenix mayoral race at an election-night party at Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix on March 12, 2019.
Michael Chow/The Republic

Democrat Kate Gallego talks to supporters after declaring victory in the Phoenix mayoral race at an election-night party at Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix on March 12, 2019. Michael Chow/The Republic

Kate Gallego beats Daniel Valenzuela for Phoenix mayor

Democrat Kate Gallego talks to supporters after declaring victory in the Phoenix mayoral race at an election-night party at Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix on March 12, 2019.
Michael Chow/The Republic

Democrat Kate Gallego holds her son, Michael, after declaring victory in the Phoenix mayoral race at an election-night party at Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix on March 12, 2019. Michael Chow/The Republic

Kate Gallego beats Daniel Valenzuela for Phoenix mayor

Democrat Kate Gallego holds her son, Michael, after declaring victory in the Phoenix mayoral race at an election-night party at Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix on March 12, 2019.
Michael Chow/The Republic

Democrat Kate Gallego talks to supporters as her son, Michael, approaches with a campaign sign during an election-night party at Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix on March 12, 2019. Michael Chow/The Republic

Kate Gallego beats Daniel Valenzuela for Phoenix mayor

Democrat Kate Gallego talks to supporters as her son, Michael, approaches with a campaign sign during an election-night party at Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix on March 12, 2019.
Michael Chow/The Republic

Democrat Kate Gallego holds her son, Michael, during an election-night party at Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix on March 12, 2019. Michael Chow/The Republic

Kate Gallego beats Daniel Valenzuela for Phoenix mayor

Democrat Kate Gallego holds her son, Michael, during an election-night party at Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix on March 12, 2019.
Michael Chow/The Republic

Democrat Kate Gallego hugs her father, Jim Widland, at an election-night party at Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix on March 12, 2019. Michael Chow/The Republic

Kate Gallego beats Daniel Valenzuela for Phoenix mayor

Democrat Kate Gallego hugs her father, Jim Widland, at an election-night party at Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix on March 12, 2019.
Michael Chow/The Republic

Supporters of Democrat Kate Gallego react to early returns during at an election-night party at Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix on March 12, 2019. Michael Chow/The Republic

Kate Gallego beats Daniel Valenzuela for Phoenix mayor

Supporters of Democrat Kate Gallego react to early returns during at an election-night party at Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix on March 12, 2019.
Michael Chow/The Republic

Supporters of Democrat Kate Gallego react to early returns during at an election-night party at Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix on March 12, 2019. Michael Chow/The Republic

Kate Gallego beats Daniel Valenzuela for Phoenix mayor

Supporters of Democrat Kate Gallego react to early returns during at an election-night party at Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix on March 12, 2019.
Michael Chow/The Republic

Daniel Valenzuela, candidate for Phoenix Mayor makes his concession speech with his wife Wendy at his side on March 12, 2019, in Phoenix. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Kate Gallego beats Daniel Valenzuela for Phoenix mayor

Daniel Valenzuela, candidate for Phoenix Mayor makes his concession speech with his wife Wendy at his side on March 12, 2019, in Phoenix.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Daniel Valenzuela, candidate for Phoenix Mayor receives a kiss from his older brother Benny (right) at his election night party on Mar. 12, 2019 in Phoenix, Ariz. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Kate Gallego beats Daniel Valenzuela for Phoenix mayor

Daniel Valenzuela, candidate for Phoenix Mayor receives a kiss from his older brother Benny (right) at his election night party on Mar. 12, 2019 in Phoenix, Ariz.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Daniel Valenzuela, candidate for Phoenix Mayor makes his concession speech with his wife Wendy at his side on March 12, 2019 in Phoenix. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Kate Gallego beats Daniel Valenzuela for Phoenix mayor

Daniel Valenzuela, candidate for Phoenix Mayor makes his concession speech with his wife Wendy at his side on March 12, 2019 in Phoenix.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Daniel Valenzuela, candidate for Phoenix Mayor makes his concession speech with his wife Wendy at his side on March 12, 2019 in Phoenix. Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Kate Gallego beats Daniel Valenzuela for Phoenix mayor

Daniel Valenzuela, candidate for Phoenix Mayor makes his concession speech with his wife Wendy at his side on March 12, 2019 in Phoenix.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

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1. She'll be the first working mother mayor

Gallego made her status as a working mom a large part of her campaign, even including her 2-year-old son Michael in her campaign commercials.

Gallego and her ex-husband, U.S. Congressman Ruben Gallego, filed for divorce in late 2016, just before their son was born.

"I'm a divorced mom. Dad is mostly in Washington, D.C. during the week, so I'm doing the burden of being mom and a candidate," Gallego said during an interview in February. "Perhaps the most difficult thing I may have done today is put on mascara while watching a toddler. If you haven't done it, it's tough."

Democrat Kate Gallego holds her son, Michael, after declaring victory in the Phoenix mayoral race at an election-night party at Crescent Ballroom in Phoenix on March 12, 2019.(Photo: Michael Chow/The Republic)

She said she's enjoyed watching her story of balance resonate with other women.

"I'm proud that that's inspirational for some other women in this community who are single moms and who are fighting for their families and say, 'I can go for that promotion. Just because I'm a single mom doesn't mean that I should let that hold me back. If the mayor can do it, then so can I.' I hope to be an example," she said.

2. She's a Harvard grad

Gallego is known as a policy wonk by those who've worked with her in City Hall. She is quick to engage in technical discussions on topics ranging from water policy to infrastructure.

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